• Israeli PM Netanyahu insists plans to seize Gaza City are vital to end the war against Hamas.
• UN officials warn Israel's actions risk triggering "another calamity" in Gaza.
• Global leaders, including UK and France, criticize Israel and call for compliance with international law.
• Reports indicate significant civilian casualties, with over 61,000 deaths in Gaza since the conflict began.
• Protests in Israel against the government's Gaza plans pressure Netanyahu for a reconsideration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing ahead with plans to control Gaza City, asserting that this military strategy is vital to conclude the ongoing conflict with Hamas. During a press conference, he stated that the plan would advance "fairly quickly" and was intended to "free Gaza from Hamas" despite international backlash and criticisms of escalating humanitarian crises, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, UN officials sounded alarms, stating that the implementation of Israel's plans could lead to "another calamity" with far-reaching consequences, which include forced displacement and further humanitarian suffering. UN Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenca warned that such actions could impact over 800,000 people already enduring severe conditions in Gaza, according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.

The humanitarian toll in Gaza is worsening, with reports indicating that 98 children have died from acute malnutrition since the conflict began in October 2023, and the number could rise sharply. Ramesh Rajasingham from the UN characterized the situation as "starvation, pure and simple," emphasizing the dire need for urgent humanitarian assistance and compliance with international humanitarian law. This sentiment was echoed by Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour, who criticized Israel's plans as "illegal and immoral" and highlighted the agony faced by the civilian population, according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.

Reactions from other countries were swift, with the United Kingdom's deputy ambassador to the UN warning that Israel's plans would exacerbate Palestinian suffering and prolong the conflict. The UK's call for reversed actions reflects similar sentiments from France, Denmark, and Greece, urging Israel to reconsider its approach. In contrast, US representatives defended Israel's rights to take measures they deemed necessary for security, arguing that the criticism was unfounded and prolonging the war, as reported by BBC and Al Jazeera.

Amid this backdrop of international condemnation and protests within Israel itself, Netanyahu's government faces significant internal dissent over its approach to the conflict. Demonstrators are raising concerns that the government's actions could further endanger hostages held by Hamas. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, global leaders are calling for immediate negotiations to cease hostilities, reflecting widespread alarm over the potential for escalating violence, according to Dawn and Channel News Asia.